Ride or Die Review: Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham Are the Buddy Duo We Didn't Know We Needed
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
Reel Perspectives
July 15, 2026
There are action series, there are buddy comedies, and then there's Prime Video's Ride or Die, a wildly entertaining, adrenaline fueled adventure produced by Paramount Television Studios and Amazon MGM Studios that proves the strongest weapon isn't a gun or a getaway car, it's an unbreakable friendship.
Starring Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer as Debbie Claybourne and Emmy winner Hannah Waddingham as Judith Burton, Ride or Die takes a familiar friendship and turns it completely upside down. Debbie believes she knows everything there is to know about her lifelong best friend until she discovers Judith has been hiding that one life changing secret that will give any woman pause - her bestie is an international contract assassin.
When a mission goes catastrophically wrong and a dangerous figure from Judith's past resurfaces, the two women are suddenly forced to flee across Europe. With law enforcement, elite assassins, and ruthless criminals all closing in, what begins as an escape quickly transforms into a thrilling race against time packed with explosive action, humor, and heartfelt emotion.
Ride or Die channels the rebellious spirit of Thelma & Louise, but confidently carves out its own identity. Rather than simply delivering nonstop explosions and elaborate chase sequences, the series invests in something far more compelling, the complicated, deeply personal bond between two women whose friendship is put through its greatest test.
The emotional heartbeat of the series lies in the chemistry between Spencer and Waddingham, and both women deliver. When Debbie learns Judith has spent years hiding such an enormous secret, forgiveness doesn't come easily. The betrayal exposes long buried insecurities, forcing both women to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves. Debbie, in particular, must reckon with the disappointments in her own marriage, the expectations she's placed on others, and the life she believed she was living. Those emotional layers elevates Ride or Die with surprising weight that gives the series that extra oomph.
It's refreshing to see Octavia Spencer front and center once again in a leading role that reminds audiences why she remains one of Hollywood's most versatile performers. Hannah Waddingham absolutely owns the screen.
As Judith, Waddingham is every bit the convincing international assassin. She commands the action sequences with effortless confidence while never allowing the character to become emotionally untouchable. Beneath Judith's deadly precision is a woman burdened by secrets, regret, and fear of losing the one relationship that has always grounded her. Together, Spencer and Waddingham are fantastic.
Their banter feels authentic, and their disagreements carry real emotional consequences. Their performances elevate what could have been another entertaining buddy-action series into something genuinely entertaining. Rather than relying on tired clichés, Ride or Die embraces two women over 50 or WOACA (Women of a Certain Age) , and allows them to be fearless, flawed, intelligent, funny, and unapologetically capable. They aren't waiting for someone to rescue them. They're solving problems, making impossible decisions, and saving themselves.
The dialogue is clever without trying too hard, the action is fast paced without overshadowing the emotional storytelling, and every episode balances suspense with hilarious moments that make the series incredibly easy to binge. Most importantly, Ride or Die isn't simply a story about assassins, conspiracies, or high speed chases across Europe. It's about friendship, trust, forgiveness, and rediscovering the people we thought we knew best, including ourselves.
In addition to Waddingham and Spencer, Ride or Die's supporting cast includes Ed Skrein as Billy, Calam Lynch as Sam, Savannah Steyn as Queenie, Jamie Parker as David, Jacky Ido as Jaques, Sylvia Hoeks as Ana, and a delicious Bill Nighy as The Director.
By the time the credits roll, you'll find yourself reaching for your phone to call your own bestie just to say, "hey." That's the magic of Ride or Die. The series reminds us that life's greatest adventures are always better when they're shared with someone who's willing to ride alongside you, even when everything goes spectacularly off the rails.
Whether you're coming for the action, the laughs, or two powerhouse performances from Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham, Ride or Die delivers on every level. Smart, heartfelt, stylish, and endlessly entertaining, this is one of Prime Video's most enjoyable original series and a celebration of friendship, female empowerment, and the undeniable power of women proving that age has absolutely nothing to do with being a total badass.
All 8 episodes of Ride or Die is streaming now on Prime Video.
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